Jacqueline Fernandez (born 11 August 1985) is a model and actress from Sri Lanka. She has appeared in Indian films, primarily in Hindi, as well as reality shows and music videos. She made her debut with Aladin in 2009 and has since developed a career in the Hindi cinema business. Fernandez grew up in Bahrain in a multicultural Eurasian household of Sri Lankan Burgher, Canadian, and Malaysian ancestry. She entered the modeling profession after graduating from the University of Sydney with a degree in public communication and working as a television reporter in Sri Lanka. In 2006, she was crowned Miss Universe Sri Lanka and represented her country in Miss Universe.
In 2009, while on a modeling job in India, Fernandez auditioned for Sujoy Ghosh's fantasy drama Aladin, which marked her acting debut. Fernandez's first commercial triumph came with her breakout appearance in the psychological thriller Murder 2 (2011). Following that, she had glamourous roles in the commercially successful ensemble comedy Housefull 2 (2012) and the action thriller Race 2 (2013), for which she was nominated for an IIFA Award for Best Supporting Actress. Fernandez later appeared in the blockbuster action flicks Kick (2014) and Vikrant Rona (2022), as well as the comedies Housefull 3 (2016) and Judwaa 2 (2017).
Fernandez has worked as a judge on the ninth season of the dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (2016-2017), is a popular celebrity advocate for numerous brands and goods, has engaged in stage plays, and is involved in humanitarian work in addition to her screen acting career.
Childhood and modeling career
Jacqueline Fernandez was born on August 11, 1985, in Manama, Bahrain, to a multi-ethnic household. Elroy Fernandez, her father, is a Sri Lankan Burgher, and Kim is of Malaysian and Canadian origin. Her maternal grandfather is Canadian, and her great-grandparents came from the Indian state of Goa. Her father, a musician from Sri Lanka, traveled to Bahrain in the 1980s to escape civil turmoil between Sinhalese and Tamils, where he met her mother, an air hostess. She is the youngest of four siblings, having one older brother and two older sisters. She studied mass communication at the University of Sydney in Australia after finishing her primary and secondary studies at Sacred Heart School in Bahrain. She worked on a couple of television series in Sri Lanka after graduating. She also went to the Berlitz language school, where she acquired Spanish and improved her French and Arabic.
Fernandez stated that she longed to be an actress from an early age and fantasized about becoming a Hollywood movie star. She studied acting at the John School of Acting. Despite the fact that she was a television reporter, she accepted modeling offers as a result of her pageant triumph. In 2006, she was crowned Miss Universe Sri Lanka and represented her country at the world Miss Universe 2006 competition in Los Angeles. Fernandez regarded the modeling industry as "a good training ground" in a 2015 interview, saying, "It is a medium that is about shedding your inhibitions, knowing your body, and confidence." She appeared in a music video for the song "O Sathi" by Bathiya and Santhush, as well as young female artist Umaria Sinhawansa, in 2006.
Acting career from 2009 until 2013: First appearance and breakout
Fernandez traveled to India for a modeling assignment in 2009. Her acting debut came after she successfully auditioned for Sujoy Ghosh's fantasy flick Aladin (2009). She played the love interest of Riteish Deshmukh's character, which was based on Princess Jasmine. and CNN-IBN's Rajeev Masand thought she was "easy on the eyes and appears confident but has precious little to do." Despite the fact that the film was a critical and commercial flop, she was awarded the IIFA Award for Star Debut of the Year - Female.
Fernandez co-starred with Deshmukh in the science fiction romance comedy Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai in 2010. She was cast as a Venusian girl who comes to Earth in pursuit of love. "She gamely makes a fool of herself while aping the actions of movie stars, ranging from Sridevi's Naagin dance, Mithun Chakravarthy's Disco Dancer moves, to Big B's violent headshake in Hum," Rediff.com's Sukanya Verma wrote. Her Tara may be a keeper if Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai wasn't so determined to convert her into a love-struck Barbie." Anupama Chopra, another critic, called Fernandez "a pin-prick on a balloon." Later that year, she made a cameo in Sajid Khan's comedy Housefull's song "Dhanno."
Murder 2, directed by Mahesh Bhatt, was Fernandez's first financial triumph and a watershed moment in her career. She played Priya, a lonely model who is in a tumultuous relationship with Arjun Bhagwat (Emraan Hashmi). Fernandez was acclaimed for her performance, as well as the film's aggressiveness and sex appeal. The Times of India's Gaurav Malini described her as "tastefully tempting," but added that her romance with Hashmi was "literally half-baked." The next year, Fernandez co-starred in Housefull 2 with Akshay Kumar, John Abraham, and Asin. It was one of India's highest-earning films that year, grossing $1.86 billion (US$23 million) globally. Fernandez's performance got primarily unfavorable feedback. While Gaurav Malini commended her appearance, NDTV referred to her as a "blathering bimbo" who "takes no pleasure in [her role]." Despite the dismal reviews, Fernandez was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 14th IIFA Awards.
Race 2, an ensemble action thriller starring Fernandez, Saif Ali Khan, John Abraham, and Deepika Padukone, was described by writer Rajeev Masand as the "cinematic equivalent of a trashy novel." She portrayed Omisha, a femme fatale, which required her to learn fencing as well as some gymnastics. The film was a commercial success, grossing more than 1.8 billion (US$23 million) globally and more than 1 billion (US$13 million) domestically. Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV commented in a particularly harsh assessment that both Fernandez and Padukone "strut around like wound-up automatons that are all decked-out but have nowhere to go." Fernandez also starred in an item number for Prabhu Deva's romance comedy Ramaiya Vastavaiya that year, titled "Jaadu Ki Jhappi."
Commercial success from 2014 to the present
Fernandez made her directorial debut in 2014 with the action flick Kick, an adaptation of a 2009 Telugu film of the same name. She played Shaina, a psychotherapist, opposite Salman Khan. For the first time in Kick, she used her natural voice. While Sneha May Francis described her as "incredibly dazzling, and moves like a magician," Raja Sen of Rediff.com was less kind, calling her dialogue delivery "unfortunate." The film received mixed reviews from critics, but it became the fourth highest-grossing Bollywood film with a worldwide income of about 3.75 billion (US$47 million). The film established Fernandez as one of Bollywood's most prominent actresses.
Fernandez appeared in Vicky Singh's Roy, a romantic thriller criticized by writer Sarita A. Tanwar as "boring, exhausting, and pretentious." Fernandez plays two characters in the film: Ayesha Aamir, a filmmaker in a romance with another director (Arjun Rampal), and Tia Desai, a girl in love with a robber (Ranbir Kapoor). While India TV hailed it as "her best act to date," reviewer Rajeev Masand believed she was "miscast in a part that required greater range." Roy was a commercial failure after failing to fulfill box office predictions. Later that year, she made a cameo role in the comedy-satire Bangistan.
Fernandez's next film was Karan Malhotra's action drama Brothers. Fernandez co-starred with Akshay Kumar and Sidharth Malhotra as Jenny, a fearless mother fighting for her child, a part she described as "challenging," "intense," and "difficult." The role was a break from the glossy personas she was known for playing. Dhriti Sharma of Zee News lauded her portrayal for being "soft, timid, and promising," and for "convincingly pulling off a pleasing character of a street fighter's wife." Film reviewer Subhash K. Jha stated that she "...gives her finest emotive shot in a limited role," while critic Raja Sen stated that she "plays Kumar's long-sobbing wife who gets so deliriously happy on seeing a text message that may well have contained news about a Kick sequel." Later that year, she made her Hollywood debut in the horror movie Definition of Fear.
Fernandez kicked off 2016 with a role in Housefull 3, the third edition in the Housefull Series. Her love interest in the ensemble comedy film was Akshay Kumar. The critic for Firstpost was displeased with the film and chastised Fernandez for choosing a film in which she is portrayed as nothing more than a "visual attraction." Despite this, the picture was a commercial success, collecting $1.88 billion (US$24 million) globally. Her next film, the action adventure Dishoom, earned 1.2 billion rupees (US$15 million) globally. Later that year, she appeared as a judge on the ninth season of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa.
Fernandez made an appearance in Chandran Rutnam's English-Sri Lankan murder thriller According to Matthew in 2017. This was also her first film appearance in Sri Lankan cinema. The film, titled Anuragini, was released in Sri Lanka on April 7, 2017 in CEL Theatres. Her next film was the action-comedy A Gentleman, directed by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna D.K., starring Siddharth Malhotra. The film earned negative reviews from critics and was a box office disappointment. Later that year, she co-starred with Varun Dhawan and Taapsee Pannu in David Dhawan's comedy Judwaa 2. It was the follow-up to the 1997 comedy picture Judwaa. The film was a box-office triumph, grossing $2.26 billion (US$28 million) worldwide. In 2018, she co-starred with Salman Khan in Race 3, the third installment of the Race franchise. Despite mixed reviews, Race 3 was a box office hit, grossing more than 3 billion (US$38 million) worldwide.
Drive, directed by Tarun Mansukhani, stars Fernandez alongside Sushant Singh Rajput. Mrs. Serial Killer, a Netflix original film directed by Shirish Kunder, will star her. She will also appear in a mafia drama Bachchhan Paandey for the fourth time opposite Akshay Kumar.
Fernandez has a great bond with her family and confesses that she misses being with them in her personal life and other activities. "I miss them so much every day," she says. When you live away from home, you don't realize how terrible life may be. Simultaneously, avoiding them has taught me to be more responsible. It has taught me a lot about myself, priorities, and time management."
Fernandez began dating Bahraini prince Hassan bin Rashid Al Khalifa in 2008, whom she met at a mutual friend's party; they divorced in 2011.
Fernandez began a sexual relationship with director Sajid Khan while filming Housefull 2 in 2011. The relationship received media attention in India, and there was talk of a wedding. The relationship, however, ended in May 2013.
Fernandez has contributed to a number of philanthropic organizations and causes. Fernandez was chosen "Woman Of The Year" by PETA (India) in 2014 for her advocacy for animal protection. Fernandez follows a vegan diet.
Fernandez has taken part in a number of musical tours and television award ceremonies. She appeared alongside Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, and Madhuri Dixit for the Temptations Reloaded concert in Auckland, Perth, and Sydney in 2013. The next year, she appeared on the live talent show "Got Talent World Stage Live" alongside Khan, Priyanka Chopra, and Varun Dhawan. Fernandez, in cooperation with chef Dharshan Munidasa, founded Kaema Sutra in Colombo in July 2014, specializing in contemporary Sri Lankan cuisine. Fernandez co-founded her athletic clothing company, Just F, in July 2018. Fernandez performed on a TV show in March 2022 alongside other actresses to the immediate hit "Arabic Kuthu."
In the news
Fernandez was ranked twelfth in the UK magazine Eastern Eye's "World's Sexiest Asian Women" list in 2008 and 2011. She earned third on The Times of India's poll of the "Most Desirable Woman" in 2013 and 2014, after ranking eighth, seventh, and fourteenth the previous three years. Rediff.com named her one of "Bollywood's Best Dressed Actresses" in 2013. The following year, she was ranked sixty-second in the Indian version of the Forbes Celebrity 100, a list that ranks India's celebrities based on their revenue and popularity.
Fernandez became an ambassador for HTC One in early 2013, which she promotes in India. She was the face of the 2013 Indian Bridal Fashion Week (IBFW). Later that year, she became the Mumbai spokesperson for Gareth Pugh's created Forevermark Diamonds, and she attended the launch of the Forever 21 store. She also co-launched the Gillette Shaving System alongside Arbaaz Khan and Aditya Roy Kapur that year. "Slowly and steadily, Jacqueline Fernandez is climbing the ladder of success," India TV said of Fernandez's career. Jacqueline has a firm handle on every area of the work that an actress is expected to undertake and is producing results as a result." Charu Thakur of India Today, on the other hand, critiqued her acting abilities but said that "[she] has managed to find her feet in Bollywood now by banking on glamorous roles."
Fernandez invested $35 million (US$440,000) in Rakyan Beverages' Raw Pressery in 2017. According to the company, Fernandez is the first celebrity in India to co-finance a consumer products startup.
Controversy
Fernandez has been the focus of an inquiry into a money laundering case involving 200 crore since December 2021. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is conducting the inquiry, and Fernandez was questioned for 10 hours in relation to the case on December 9, 2021. On December 22, the ED denied Fernandez's request to decrease the Lookout Circular (LOC) issued against her in the case, which prevents her from traveling outside India.
Fernandez has been dropped from Nagarjuna's forthcoming film The Ghost. It is believed that the eviction from the film was caused by the money laundering case.
On August 17, 2022, the Enforcement Directorate charged Jacqueline Fernandez in the same money-laundering case as Sukesh Chandrashekhar. In response, she stated that FDs were made prior to any involvement with the conman, and that all of her income was lawful and taxed.
On September 26, 2022, the court granted Jacqueline interim bail on a bail bond of $50,000 at the request of her lawyer.
 | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Aladin | Jasmine | |
| 2010 | Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai | Tara | |
| Housefull | Dhanno | Special appearance in song "Aapka Kya Hoga" | |
| 2011 | Murder 2 | Priya | |
| 2012 | Housefull 2 | Bobby Kapoor | |
| 2013 | Race 2 | Omisha | |
| Ramaiya Vastavaiya | Herself | Special appearance in song "Jadoo Ki Jhappi" | |
| 2014 | Kick | Shaina Mehra | |
| 2015 | Roy | Ayesha Aamir / Tia Desai | |
| Bangistan | Rosanna (Rosie) | Cameo appearance | |
| Brothers | Jenny Fernandes | ||
| Definition of Fear | Sarah Fording | British film | |
| 2016 | Housefull 3 | Ganga "Gracy" Patel | |
| Dishoom | Meera Balraj "Ishika" Behl | ||
| A Flying Jatt | Kirti | ||
| 2017 | According to Matthew | Daphne Reynolds | Sri Lankan film |
| A Gentleman | Kavya Chetwani | ||
| Judwaa 2 | Alishka Bakshi | ||
| 2018 | Baaghi 2 | Herself | Special appearance in song "Ek Do Teen" |
| Race 3 | Jessica Gomes | ||
| 2019 | Saaho | Herself | Simultaneously shot in Telugu; special appearance in song "Bad Boy" |
| Drive | Tara Loha | ||
| 2020 | Mrs. Serial Killer | Sona Mukherjee | |
| 2021 | Radhe | Herself | Special appearance in the song "Dil De Diya" |
| Bhoot Police | Kanika "Kanu" Kulbhushan | ||
| 2022 | Bachchhan Paandey | Sophie | |
| Attack | Ayesha Roy | ||
| Vikrant Rona | Racquel D'Coasta aka Gadang Rakkamma | Kannada film | |
| Tell It Like a Woman | Divya | American–Italian film | |
| Ram Setu | Sandra Rebello | ||
| Cirkus | Bindu | ||
| 2023 | Selfiee | Herself | Special appearance in the song "Deewane" |
| Crakk | TBA | Filming | |
| Fateh | TBA | Filming |
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (season 9) | Judge |
| Year | Title | Singer(s) | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | GF BF | Gurinder Seagal | T-Series |
| 2020 | Mere Angne Mein | Neha Kakkar, Raja Hasan | |
| Genda Phool | Payal Dev, Badshah | Sony Music India | |
| 2021 | Paani Paani | Aastha Gill, Badshah | Saregama Music |
| 2022 | Mud Mud Ke | Neha Kakkar, Tony Kakkar | Desi Music Factory |
Fernandez has won numerous awards mainly for her works in Housefull 2, its sequel Housefull 3, Murder 2, and Race 3.
| Year | Organisation | Category | Nominated Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | IIFA Awards | Debut of the Year – Female | Aladin | Won |
| Stardust Awards | Exciting New Face | Won | ||
| 2012 | Best Actress (Thriller/Action) | Murder 2 | Nominated | |
| 2013 | IIFA Awards | Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Housefull 2 | Nominated |
| 15th Asianet Film Awards | Most Stylish Bollywood Actress | Herself | Won | |
| 2015 | BIG Star Entertainment Awards | BIG Star Most Entertaining Dancer | Kick | Won |
| Stardust Awards | Style Diva | Won | ||
| Screen Awards | Best Actress (Popular Choice) | Nominated | ||
| 2016 | Ada Derana Sri Lankan of The Year | Global Entertainer | Herself | Won |
| Stardust Awards | Best Actress | Housefull 3 | Nominated | |
| Dishoom | Nominated | |||
| 2017 | BIG Zee Entertainment Awards | Most Entertaining Actor in a Comedy Film – Female | Housefull 3 | Nominated |
| Most Entertaining Dancer – Male/Female | A Flying Jatt | Nominated | ||
| Most Entertaining Dancer – Male/Female | Dishoom | Nominated | ||
| Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards India | Best Movie Actor (Female) | Judwaa 2 | Nominated |
| Bio | |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Jacky |
| Profession(s) | Actress, Model, Restaurateur |
| Physical Stats & More | |
| Height (approx.) | in centimeters- 170 cm in meters- 1.70 m in Feet Inches- 5' 7” |
| Weight (approx.) | in Kilograms- 56 kg in Pounds- 123 lbs |
| Figure Measurements (approx.) | 34-27-35 |
| Eye Colour | Dark Brown |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Personal Life | |
| Date of Birth | 11 August 1985 |
| Age (as of 2022) | 37 Years |
| Birthplace | Manama, Bahrain |
| Zodiac sign | Leo |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Hometown | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| School | Sacred Heart School, Bahrain |
| College | University of Sydney, Sydney |
| Educational Qualifications | Graduate in Mass Communication |
| Debut | Film: Aladin (2009) TV: Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 9 (2016, as a judge) |
| Family | Father- Elroy Fernandez (Businessman) Mother- Kim Brothers- 2 (Elder) Sister- 1 (Elder) |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Hobbies | Travelling, gymnastics, swimming, dancing |
| Favourites | |
| Food | French cuisine |
| Actors | Shahrukh Khan and Leonardo DiCaprio |
| Actress | Angelina Jolie |
| Film | Hollywood: The Bridges Of Madison, Gone with the Wind |
| Colour | White |
| Perfume | Issey Miyake |
| Restaurant | Pali Village Cafe in Mumbai |
| Destination | Italy |
| Boys, Affairs and More | |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Husband | N/A |
| Style Quotient | |
| Car Collection | Audi |
| Money Factor | |
| Salary (approx.) | 2-3 Crore/film (INR) |
| Net Worth (approx.) | $9 million |
,-Biography,-Wiki,-Age,-Boyfriend-&-More-134.jpg "Surabhi-Samriddhi Mehra (Chinky Minky), Biography, Wiki, Age, Boyfriend & More")
